Cold Weather Advice for People with Specific Medical Conditions

Advice for People with Chronic Kidney Disease

If you are a dialysis patient and know that a storm is forecast and you are likely to be snowed in, contact the dialysis team in advance to see what options they suggest. For example, maybe your dialysis day can be brought forward.
Many store cupboard staples such as tinned soups and baked beans are not suitable for those on a renal diet. Therefore, careful planning of your winter food cupboard is important. The renal dieticians registered with the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute have suggestions on their website for some suitable store cupboard items and some meal ideas.

Advice for People with Osteoporosis

During cold, icy weather there is an increased risk of falls and fractures. If you have osteoporosis, a fall is more likely to cause a fracture.
Consider not going for a walk outdoors if conditions are very icy. If you still wish to get exercise, perhaps walk around a large supermarket or shopping centre.
Walk carefully, with a shorter stride.
Take your time, don’t turn suddenly.
Wear proper shoes with good grips, snow boots ideally, and no high heels.
If you fall, try to minimise the impact by falling on your side or bottom, or putting both arms out rather than one. Try to spread the impact over a large area of your body.
If you fall, be careful getting up, as you are at high risk of slipping again.
Be cautious on steps, as ice can build up on them easily.
See the RSA's Top 10 Safety Tips To Avoid A Slip or Fall In Ice and Snow for more information.

Advice for People with Heart Disease

If you have a history of heart disease, such as angina or a heart attack, you need to take care in very cold weather.
If you are snowed in, do not attempt to shovel the snow away yourself. This unaccustomed sudden physical exertion may put an increased strain on your heart.
Stay active when you are indoors to build up your core body temperature.
Visit the Irish Heart Foundation's website for more information about cold weather and your heart.

Advice for People with Respiratory Disease

Illnesses such as COPD and asthma can become noticeably worse in cold weather.
Breathing in cold air can lead to narrowing of your airways and a worsening of wheeze.
Wrapping up well, keeping your core body temperature up and wrapping a scarf around your mouth and nose will help.
When you are outdoors in cold weather, breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Your nose has blood vessels that warm and humidify the air before it gets to your lungs, but breathing through your mouth brings the very cold, dry air straight to your lungs and airways.
Be vigilant about maintaining your medication regime - take preventative inhalers regularly and keep relievers close to hand.
Talk to your GP about a flare-up plan such as an asthma action plan - if cold air triggers an attack, you will know exactly what to do.
In winter, there are typically more respiratory viruses circulating. Ensure that you get your flu vaccine, COVID booster and, if you have not had it, the pneumococcal vaccine.
Avoid contact with people who have a cold or flu.
Stop smoking – it is one of the best things you can do for your winter health. See QUIT.ie for information and support.

Advice for People with Arthritis

Joint pain and stiffness often feel worse during extremely cold weather.
Keeping warm and layering up will help.
It is especially important for arthritis sufferers to maintain their exercise programme or regime. Keeping your joints mobile can help relieve stiffness and pain. Stretching exercises, swimming indoors or pedalling an exercise bike will all help to keep joints mobile.

Advice for People with Poor Circulation

Raynaud’s Disease

Raynaud’s affects your blood circulation- when you’re cold, your fingers and toes may change colour, turning white or blue.
It can also cause numbness, pain and tingling in the affected area.
It can be prevented by keeping your hands and feet warm, keeping moving to improve circulation and by keeping your home warm.

Chilblains

Chilblains are small itchy swellings that occur on the skin as a reaction to cold weather.
They can be very uncomfortable.
They usually occur on fingers that are exposed to the cold, and then heated up rapidly.
They can also occur on feet, ears, nose - any extremity exposed to the cold.
They can be prevented by limiting exposure to cold, and if your skin does get cold, by warming it up gradually.
Do not put your hands directly on a radiator or into hot water- this sudden change in temperature is one of the main causes of chilblains.

Advice for People with Diabetes

In extremely cold weather, check your skin and feet regularly. People with diabetes sometimes have impaired sensation and may not realise they have developed chilblains or sores on the feet.
If your diabetes causes poor circulation, you may also feel cold weather more acutely. It is very important to keep warm, dress in layers and protect the extremities from the cold temperatures.
Be careful if using a hot water bottle or heat pack. If you have any nerve damage or loss of sensation, you may not feel extreme heat, and be prone to scalds and burns.
You may find your blood sugars are affected by cold weather. Less opportunity for exercise may lead to higher readings, and blood sugar levels often rise if you are unwell with a cold or flu.
Keep a close watch on your blood glucose monitoring during a cold snap, especially if you are on insulin, as your insulin requirements may change.
If your hands are cold, it can be harder to get blood from a pinprick, so ensure your hands are warm before you try to check blood sugars.
In extreme weather, consider your insulin storage also. Check the manufacturers label for proper storage conditions for your particular brand but, in general, Insulin cannot be used if it has frozen and thawed.
Do not leave medication or equipment outside in your car. Freezing temperatures can make them less effective.

Advice for People Caring for Someone with Dementia

People with dementia are more vulnerable during an extreme cold snap:

If someone with dementia wanders from home or becomes disorientated and lost, they are at risk of hypothermia from extreme cold exposure.
Snow can increase the risk of disorientation because it can change how the landscape looks. So even a familiar landscape can become disorientating.
Due to communication difficulties, they may not be able to describe if they are feeling cold. You may need to physically check their temperature if you are concerned. With their permission, gently put your hand on the back of their neck. Cold hands and feet are not a reliable indicator of temperature, so it is important to check their core temperature.
Due to memory problems, they may forget to dress warmly or to turn the heating on.
If the person has slight memory difficulties but lives alone, it is important to regularly check in with them - even a phone call if you cannot call in person.

Last Updated: 4 January 2024